Hyde Park resident Debbie Lamb recalls the first signs something was amiss with her sister, Jude.

“She was working as a clerk. She’d been there for almost 20 years. She was excellent at what she did – excellent communication and math skills,” Lamb said. “Then suddenly she said she was having trouble with her reports – that she had to ask for help with them. And then she realized she couldn’t do them anymore.”

In October, Lamb’s sister passed away from Alzheimer’s disease after a nine-year battle. She was first diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at age 62.

At the end, her sister could no longer care for herself and needed to move into a nursing home after breaking her hip. She suffered from both Parkinson’s and pseudobulbar affect, or PBA, which caused her to have inappropriate emotional reactions such as excessive crying or laughter. She also experienced extreme mood swings and hallucinations.

“I think a lot of people think of Alzheimer’s as only memory loss,” Lamb said. “It’s so much more than that. You stop walking, you stop talking.

I feel it’s the worst disease there is because there has never been a single survivor. And it takes everything – first your memory and then everything physically,” she said.

Lamb first became involved with the Alzheimer’s Association two years ago.

“I saw a lawn sign last year for the walk, and I said, ‘I really want to get involved. Jude’s suffered with this for a long time, and I want to help out,’” Lamb recalled.

Debbie Lamb, far right standing with yellow flower, and her team, Debbie’s Flock, at the 2016 Dutchess/Ulster Walk to End Alzheimer’s.(Photo: Courtesy The Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter)

Now she is captain of the Debbie’s Flock team in the Dutchess/Ulster Walk to End Alzheimer’s for the third year. Also a member of the Dutchess/Ulster Walk committee, she has held several fundraisers including a recent Murder Mystery Dinner at the Wappingers Falls Elks Lodge in April to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. Last year the Hudson Valley Chapter’s five walks raised more than $1 million.

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, available resources and how you can get involved to support the cause. Visit alz.org to learn more about Alzheimer’s, its warning signs, the importance of early detection and diagnosis as well as information on care and support.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Call the 24-hour helpline at 800.272.3900 or visit alz.org/hudsonvalley to learn more.

Get Involved

What: Dutchess/Ulster Walk to End Alzheimer’s
When: Saturday, Oct. 20. Registration starts at 9 a.m., opening ceremony at 10 a.m. followed by the walk.
Where: Starts on the Highland side of the Walkway Over the Hudson.
Contact: Walk Manager Venesa Marcellin with questions at vmarcellin@alz.org or 845.394.4952.
Web: Register or donate at WalkwayWalk.org

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